The UNC community and basketball world shared an outpouring of grief and support on Monday after the news of Eric Montross — a former UNC men’s basketball star and 1993 NCAA champion — dying from cancer.

Montross, 52, was a major figure around the basketball program after serving 18 years as the Tar Heel Sports Network radio analyst for men’s games and serving as the senior major gifts director for the Rams Club. The Montross family announced Eric was diagnosed with cancer in March 2023, which led the former NBA and All-American center to step away from the radio role. He died on Sunday at his Chapel Hill home “surrounded by loved ones.”

The Carolina men’s basketball program publicly announced Montross’ passing shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday, which led to Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham and UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz sharing their own statements on losing an “inspiring advocate for our campus.”

Montross’ co-host on the Tar Heel Sports Network broadcasts, Jones Angell, shared his own statement Monday afternoon and said he is “absolutely devastated.”

“I’m so sad for Eric’s family,” Angell wrote, “especially Laura, Andrew, and Sarah. Selfishly, I’m sad for myself for losing a friend. I’m sad for UNC for losing an incredible Tar Heel. I’m sad for us all for losing the type of person we should all strive to be.”

Montross was a teammate of current UNC head coach Hubert Davis during the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons, which Davis referenced in his own statement.

“I am devastated,” he said. “Eric was my friend. He was my teammate. Eric loved being a husband. He loved being a dad. He loved being a Tar Heel and he loved Carolina basketball. I miss him.”

Several Carolina athletics coaches posted about Montross, including men’s basketball assistant Sean May, field hockey coach Erin Matson, football coach Mack Brown, baseball coach Scott Forbes, and former football head coach Larry Fedora.

North Carolina legislative leaders also shared their thoughts on Montross’ passing, including UNC alumni Gov. Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein.

“So very sad to hear of the loss of Eric Montross,” wrote Cooper on X — the social media platform previously called Twitter, “whose contributions to the UNC community and our state went far beyond his championship basketball skills.”

Additionally, hundreds of other Tar Heels, friends, and even former rivals from around the basketball world shared notes remembering Montross — celebrating his character and reliving some of his biggest moments either on the court or on the microphone.

 

 

Featured photo via AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast.

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